Messy Desk Days Blog

Riding the ‘epic fail’ wave of disorganisation…

Written by

Nic Howard

in

I was so organised last year.  I had presents organised months before Christmas.  I had cards made, recipes in mind with ingredients ready.  I was my own little Christmas star, having cleared my workload early in readiness for the festive season.

This year I am riding the epic-fail wave of Christmas dis-organisation.  The only thing that makes it better is knowing I have so many friends riding the wave with me.  I have made a conscience decision not to let it worry me though. 

When I asked Jacob to pose for a Christmas card photo a few weeks back he looked at me with a "WTF, you are kidding me, right?" look on his face.  The kid is nearly 14.  I'll give him that one.  I quite happily conceded that there will be no Christmas cards this year - although I fought it for years, painstakingly making handmade cards 'til 4am some nights to get them done, refusing to give in to the non-friendly trends of the no-christmas-card-sending modern world, Im standing back, hands in the air, going ok… ok… full respect to those of you hanging in there but there will be no more 4am mornings for me. 

 

So who's with me… riding the epic fail wave of Christmas non-organisation?  I'm exhausted, workload is high, I'm not recovering from training and have ended up at physio, I will be working late nights early morning leading into the new year but you know what? 

It's Christmas. 

My micro-breaks during the day used to be facebook and little household chores.   Right now I'm using my microbreaks to steal kiddie hugs from Abby and chat to the boys.  I'm delegating my too hard basket "hey kids, write me a list of your 5 favourite Christmas foods you reckon we should take to Nannies this year"…. sometimes decisions are so hard to make this time of year.  Great idea to let someone else make them.

And inbetween it all we can remember the fun and fabulous times that makes Christmas one of my most favourite and amazing times of year.

laters

DecArtzine NicH FULL edited 1

(Layout from the first digital version of "My Prima Place" ever… take a look at the HUGE amount of inspiration here: http://issuu.com/prima-flowers/docs/mppv5 )

 

Comments

16 responses to “Riding the ‘epic fail’ wave of disorganisation…”

  1. Janine Avatar
    Janine

    I am joining you. Thanks for writing this post, it’s nice to know others are feeling this way. Most years I am super organised. This year it’s an epic fail on my part. It started off with being sick Dec 1 with a cold and then some other health issues. Today is the first day I bounced out of bed in two weeks.
    After spending most of this week feeling guilty about it, today I finally said to myself “no more”. What finally pre-empted the turn around in attitude. Is that xmas should be enjoyed not endured. So what if I am disorganised,life goes on and there are more important things to worry about. So xmas cards wont be going out this year and at least present are organised, and all I need to do is pack to head up north next week.

    Reply
  2. Janine Avatar
    Janine

    I am joining you. Thanks for writing this post, it’s nice to know others are feeling this way. Most years I am super organised. This year it’s an epic fail on my part. It started off with being sick Dec 1 with a cold and then some other health issues. Today is the first day I bounced out of bed in two weeks.
    After spending most of this week feeling guilty about it, today I finally said to myself “no more”. What finally pre-empted the turn around in attitude. Is that xmas should be enjoyed not endured. So what if I am disorganised,life goes on and there are more important things to worry about. So xmas cards wont be going out this year and at least present are organised, and all I need to do is pack to head up north next week.

    Reply
  3. Janine Avatar
    Janine

    I am joining you. Thanks for writing this post, it’s nice to know others are feeling this way. Most years I am super organised. This year it’s an epic fail on my part. It started off with being sick Dec 1 with a cold and then some other health issues. Today is the first day I bounced out of bed in two weeks.
    After spending most of this week feeling guilty about it, today I finally said to myself “no more”. What finally pre-empted the turn around in attitude. Is that xmas should be enjoyed not endured. So what if I am disorganised,life goes on and there are more important things to worry about. So xmas cards wont be going out this year and at least present are organised, and all I need to do is pack to head up north next week.

    Reply
  4. Janine Avatar
    Janine

    I am joining you. Thanks for writing this post, it’s nice to know others are feeling this way. Most years I am super organised. This year it’s an epic fail on my part. It started off with being sick Dec 1 with a cold and then some other health issues. Today is the first day I bounced out of bed in two weeks.
    After spending most of this week feeling guilty about it, today I finally said to myself “no more”. What finally pre-empted the turn around in attitude. Is that xmas should be enjoyed not endured. So what if I am disorganised,life goes on and there are more important things to worry about. So xmas cards wont be going out this year and at least present are organised, and all I need to do is pack to head up north next week.

    Reply
  5. Philippa Avatar
    Philippa

    Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to panic we go.. LOLOL… I absolutely totally and utterly adore Christmas and this year (unlike most years) I am SO SO SO disorganised it isn’t funny! I had a frantic few months after returning from a 7 week (TOO LONG! but fantastic) overseas trip in readiness for many garden groups visiting the garden and my nursery being open two days a week. Apart from that I had to reawaken my immensely huge kitchen garden (14 beds in all) and prepare it (what a flaming struggle that was after loads of rain)for summer vegies. Add to that an immense strawberry, raspberry and asparagus harvest resulting in many frenzied evening pickings then morning after going – what the hell do I do with all of this produce!! – LOL and you have one heck of a shambles inside my brain!! Oh yes then there was the handmade christmas card debacle.. all was going really well until I used the wrong ink (not fast drying) on the edges of the cards and to my horror realised I was spreading read spots and smudges on the white middle of the cards (family got those, the nice ones went overseas). Then there was the panicing to get the christmas parcels sent overseas too – 4 light packages and 12 christmas cards = $76… ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! FAINT!!
    Just when I was thinking there is light at the end of the tunnel we are off to Blenheim tomorrow morning for one night (two blistering hot days) and so today I have to madly water my ENTIRE GARDEN due to no rain for weeks because it is starting to look as though it is dying.. pant pant… AND tomorrow morning I need to water all of my tomato plants in bags, my kitchen garden, my plant nursery before we can think of heading away (around 10.30am I reckon).. THEN there are the two radio shows I need to get into the station (email) by late Sunday.. will be recording those on Sunday evening when we get home!
    I LOVE CHRISTMAS I LOVE CHRISTMAS I LOVE CHRISTMAS… so I am going to totally enjoy it WHEN I MANAGE TO GET THERE.. oh and I still haven’t bought any pressies for hubby so that means a day in town next week, plus I have to do Christmas baking. PHEW OKAY I’M EXHAUSTED NOW.. I hope I’ve made you feel not quite so disorganised Nic honey!! GIGGLE!!! xxxx

    Reply
  6. Philippa Avatar
    Philippa

    Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to panic we go.. LOLOL… I absolutely totally and utterly adore Christmas and this year (unlike most years) I am SO SO SO disorganised it isn’t funny! I had a frantic few months after returning from a 7 week (TOO LONG! but fantastic) overseas trip in readiness for many garden groups visiting the garden and my nursery being open two days a week. Apart from that I had to reawaken my immensely huge kitchen garden (14 beds in all) and prepare it (what a flaming struggle that was after loads of rain)for summer vegies. Add to that an immense strawberry, raspberry and asparagus harvest resulting in many frenzied evening pickings then morning after going – what the hell do I do with all of this produce!! – LOL and you have one heck of a shambles inside my brain!! Oh yes then there was the handmade christmas card debacle.. all was going really well until I used the wrong ink (not fast drying) on the edges of the cards and to my horror realised I was spreading read spots and smudges on the white middle of the cards (family got those, the nice ones went overseas). Then there was the panicing to get the christmas parcels sent overseas too – 4 light packages and 12 christmas cards = $76… ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! FAINT!!
    Just when I was thinking there is light at the end of the tunnel we are off to Blenheim tomorrow morning for one night (two blistering hot days) and so today I have to madly water my ENTIRE GARDEN due to no rain for weeks because it is starting to look as though it is dying.. pant pant… AND tomorrow morning I need to water all of my tomato plants in bags, my kitchen garden, my plant nursery before we can think of heading away (around 10.30am I reckon).. THEN there are the two radio shows I need to get into the station (email) by late Sunday.. will be recording those on Sunday evening when we get home!
    I LOVE CHRISTMAS I LOVE CHRISTMAS I LOVE CHRISTMAS… so I am going to totally enjoy it WHEN I MANAGE TO GET THERE.. oh and I still haven’t bought any pressies for hubby so that means a day in town next week, plus I have to do Christmas baking. PHEW OKAY I’M EXHAUSTED NOW.. I hope I’ve made you feel not quite so disorganised Nic honey!! GIGGLE!!! xxxx

    Reply
  7. Philippa Avatar
    Philippa

    Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to panic we go.. LOLOL… I absolutely totally and utterly adore Christmas and this year (unlike most years) I am SO SO SO disorganised it isn’t funny! I had a frantic few months after returning from a 7 week (TOO LONG! but fantastic) overseas trip in readiness for many garden groups visiting the garden and my nursery being open two days a week. Apart from that I had to reawaken my immensely huge kitchen garden (14 beds in all) and prepare it (what a flaming struggle that was after loads of rain)for summer vegies. Add to that an immense strawberry, raspberry and asparagus harvest resulting in many frenzied evening pickings then morning after going – what the hell do I do with all of this produce!! – LOL and you have one heck of a shambles inside my brain!! Oh yes then there was the handmade christmas card debacle.. all was going really well until I used the wrong ink (not fast drying) on the edges of the cards and to my horror realised I was spreading read spots and smudges on the white middle of the cards (family got those, the nice ones went overseas). Then there was the panicing to get the christmas parcels sent overseas too – 4 light packages and 12 christmas cards = $76… ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! FAINT!!
    Just when I was thinking there is light at the end of the tunnel we are off to Blenheim tomorrow morning for one night (two blistering hot days) and so today I have to madly water my ENTIRE GARDEN due to no rain for weeks because it is starting to look as though it is dying.. pant pant… AND tomorrow morning I need to water all of my tomato plants in bags, my kitchen garden, my plant nursery before we can think of heading away (around 10.30am I reckon).. THEN there are the two radio shows I need to get into the station (email) by late Sunday.. will be recording those on Sunday evening when we get home!
    I LOVE CHRISTMAS I LOVE CHRISTMAS I LOVE CHRISTMAS… so I am going to totally enjoy it WHEN I MANAGE TO GET THERE.. oh and I still haven’t bought any pressies for hubby so that means a day in town next week, plus I have to do Christmas baking. PHEW OKAY I’M EXHAUSTED NOW.. I hope I’ve made you feel not quite so disorganised Nic honey!! GIGGLE!!! xxxx

    Reply
  8. Philippa Avatar
    Philippa

    Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to panic we go.. LOLOL… I absolutely totally and utterly adore Christmas and this year (unlike most years) I am SO SO SO disorganised it isn’t funny! I had a frantic few months after returning from a 7 week (TOO LONG! but fantastic) overseas trip in readiness for many garden groups visiting the garden and my nursery being open two days a week. Apart from that I had to reawaken my immensely huge kitchen garden (14 beds in all) and prepare it (what a flaming struggle that was after loads of rain)for summer vegies. Add to that an immense strawberry, raspberry and asparagus harvest resulting in many frenzied evening pickings then morning after going – what the hell do I do with all of this produce!! – LOL and you have one heck of a shambles inside my brain!! Oh yes then there was the handmade christmas card debacle.. all was going really well until I used the wrong ink (not fast drying) on the edges of the cards and to my horror realised I was spreading read spots and smudges on the white middle of the cards (family got those, the nice ones went overseas). Then there was the panicing to get the christmas parcels sent overseas too – 4 light packages and 12 christmas cards = $76… ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! FAINT!!
    Just when I was thinking there is light at the end of the tunnel we are off to Blenheim tomorrow morning for one night (two blistering hot days) and so today I have to madly water my ENTIRE GARDEN due to no rain for weeks because it is starting to look as though it is dying.. pant pant… AND tomorrow morning I need to water all of my tomato plants in bags, my kitchen garden, my plant nursery before we can think of heading away (around 10.30am I reckon).. THEN there are the two radio shows I need to get into the station (email) by late Sunday.. will be recording those on Sunday evening when we get home!
    I LOVE CHRISTMAS I LOVE CHRISTMAS I LOVE CHRISTMAS… so I am going to totally enjoy it WHEN I MANAGE TO GET THERE.. oh and I still haven’t bought any pressies for hubby so that means a day in town next week, plus I have to do Christmas baking. PHEW OKAY I’M EXHAUSTED NOW.. I hope I’ve made you feel not quite so disorganised Nic honey!! GIGGLE!!! xxxx

    Reply
  9. Melissa Kennedy Avatar
    Melissa Kennedy

    Im right there with you Nic….. with work so busy there is no homemade chrissy cards for me either though i am secretly hoping i can get all the girls and myself onto Santa’s knee at Westfield for our annual photo…. ho humm – we shall see. Have a wonderful Christmas and love from both David and myself to both you and Paul…

    Reply
  10. Melissa Kennedy Avatar
    Melissa Kennedy

    Im right there with you Nic….. with work so busy there is no homemade chrissy cards for me either though i am secretly hoping i can get all the girls and myself onto Santa’s knee at Westfield for our annual photo…. ho humm – we shall see. Have a wonderful Christmas and love from both David and myself to both you and Paul…

    Reply
  11. Melissa Kennedy Avatar
    Melissa Kennedy

    Im right there with you Nic….. with work so busy there is no homemade chrissy cards for me either though i am secretly hoping i can get all the girls and myself onto Santa’s knee at Westfield for our annual photo…. ho humm – we shall see. Have a wonderful Christmas and love from both David and myself to both you and Paul…

    Reply
  12. Melissa Kennedy Avatar
    Melissa Kennedy

    Im right there with you Nic….. with work so busy there is no homemade chrissy cards for me either though i am secretly hoping i can get all the girls and myself onto Santa’s knee at Westfield for our annual photo…. ho humm – we shall see. Have a wonderful Christmas and love from both David and myself to both you and Paul…

    Reply
  13. Leanne in CA Avatar
    Leanne in CA

    Great post. Glad to hear I am not the only one procrastinating and riding the wave of disorganization. Hang in there and Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  14. Leanne in CA Avatar
    Leanne in CA

    Great post. Glad to hear I am not the only one procrastinating and riding the wave of disorganization. Hang in there and Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  15. Leanne in CA Avatar
    Leanne in CA

    Great post. Glad to hear I am not the only one procrastinating and riding the wave of disorganization. Hang in there and Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  16. Leanne in CA Avatar
    Leanne in CA

    Great post. Glad to hear I am not the only one procrastinating and riding the wave of disorganization. Hang in there and Merry Christmas!!

    Reply

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